sweeping question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sweeping question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is broad in scope or covers a wide range of topics, often requiring a comprehensive answer. Example: "The professor posed a sweeping question about the implications of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At the hearing, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, asked General Alexander and James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, a sweeping question: "So what are all of the programs run by the N.S.A. or other federal agencies" that used either Section 215 of the Patriot Act or another surveillance law that allows warrantless wiretapping of phone and emails?

The New York Times

It's a sweeping question and an essential one for the film's brutal beating heart, but unlike a question such as "who watches the watchmen?" there is very little ambiguity here.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In his many books and articles, he posed sweeping questions about the nature of Islamic art, seeking to discover the impulses that generated its specific forms and dynamics of growth, and to explore the interconnections between faith and sociohistorical circumstances in its development.

The New York Times

Americans are great at sweeping questions away and turning complex shades of gray into black and white.

Vice

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile Reprints Related items Question time in JapanApr 29th 1999Even after Sony, a consumer-electronics company, cut its board from 40 to 10 in 1997 (three of these are independent non-executive directors), reform has been patchy.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile ReprintsIn France, however, ISPs get nothing from the telephone company.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile ReprintsThe world's telecoms networks were built to carry voice traffic.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile ReprintsNow companies, the police and public opinion are all turning against the sokaiya.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile ReprintsBut something else has also changed, and it could yet prove that the GM venture is the expensive disaster the doomsayers foretold.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile ReprintsThings have also been tricky in Slovakia, where CME owns 80% of the hugely successful TV Markiza.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile ReprintsSo if sweepstakes have been running for three decades without causing a political furore, what has suddenly gone wrong?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sweeping question" when you want to emphasize the broad and comprehensive nature of an inquiry. This phrase is effective in academic, journalistic, and formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "sweeping question" in overly casual or informal settings. Alternatives like "general question" or "broad question" might be more appropriate in less formal scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sweeping question" functions as a noun phrase, where "sweeping" modifies the noun "question". It describes the nature of the question as being broad and comprehensive. Ludwig's examples confirm that this phrase is used to characterize the extent of the inquiry.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sweeping question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a question that is broad in scope, often requiring a comprehensive answer. While Ludwig indicates that it is acceptable in written English, its usage frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. As per Ludwig's analysis, alternatives like "broad question" or "comprehensive inquiry" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance. Avoid using it in overly casual settings to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad question

Focuses on the breadth of the question, similar to "sweeping question".

comprehensive inquiry

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the question.

far-reaching question

Highlights the wide-ranging implications of the question.

all-encompassing question

Stresses that the question covers all aspects of a topic.

wide-ranging inquiry

Similar to "far-reaching question", emphasizing the scope.

general question

Refers to a question not focused on a specific detail.

overarching question

Suggests the question is a dominant theme or concern.

extensive question

Highlights the detailed nature of the question.

holistic question

Implies the question considers the whole system.

umbrella question

Suggests the question covers many related sub-questions.

FAQs

What does "sweeping question" mean?

A "sweeping question" refers to a question that is broad in scope, covering a wide range of aspects or implications related to a particular topic.

What can I say instead of "sweeping question"?

You can use alternatives like "broad question", "comprehensive inquiry", or "far-reaching question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sweeping question" formal or informal?

"Sweeping question" leans toward the formal side but is acceptable in neutral contexts. For more casual settings, consider using alternatives like "general question" or "big question".

How to use "sweeping question" in a sentence?

You can use "sweeping question" to describe the nature of an inquiry, such as: "The senator posed a "sweeping question" about the NSA's surveillance programs."